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Q. My girlfriend is very allergic to shrimp and crab and, I suspect, lobster as well. I love them but have avoided eating them since we have been together.
This summer we shall have our vacation at the beach, where I always make a couple of meals with shrimp or crab. My question is, how can I avoid causing her distress? Do I have to wait a while after eating to kiss her? How long? Can I speed the process by vigorous brushing and mouthwashing?
A. Your concern is justified. A report in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings (Feb. 2003) describes a woman who experienced a life-threatening allergic reaction from shellfish after being kissed by her boyfriend.
He had eaten a few shrimp roughly an hour before the goodnight kiss. Within a minute her lips swelled, her throat began to close, she experienced hives, abdominal cramps and wheezing and her blood pressure dropped to 80/50.
Since we cannot guarantee that brushing your teeth or using a mouthwash will protect your girlfriend, you may need to avoid either shellfish or kissing on your vacation to prevent a disastrous reaction.
Q. Tell your readers who are concerned about toenail fungus that many of us have had improvement from soaking the toes in a solution of vinegar and water. A nurse practitioner suggested one part vinegar to two parts water, 15 minutes per day. It takes time so don't give up!
My physician has also recommended Vicks VapoRub around the nail. I'm pleased with the improvement I have seen.
A. Your health professionals may have learned about these remedies in this column. Many readers have shared similar success stories. Others report that topical applications of vitamin E oil or pau d'arco tea can be helpful. When all else fails, urea paste can dissolve the infected nail.
We discuss these approaches and others at greater length in our Guides to Nail Care and Unique Uses for Vicks. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $3 in check or money order with a long (no. 10) stamped (60 cents), self-addressed envelope: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. HV-376, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.
Q. I get copious quantities of SPAM in my email. I am amazed at the number of advertisements for herbal male enlargement.
I am a happily married man with no need for "enhancement." (My wife agrees.) I have never visited any Internet site about this subject, much less supplied my email address.
My question: do I get these things because somehow I got on the wrong email list at some point? Or does everybody get them?
Is there such a big market for "male enhancement?" We must be a sadly gullible society, unless such products actually work.
A. Email ads for such products are widespread. We have seen no scientific evidence to suggest that a man can enlarge his penis by taking herbal pills. Urologists we have consulted agree that such products are suspect.
Q. You sometimes write that antidepressants like Zoloft and Prozac can interfere with sexual enjoyment. My doctor recommended the herb Ginkgo biloba as an antidote for this side effect and it worked! I thought you should know.
A. There is some preliminary research to suggest that ginkgo can restore the ability to achieve climax. While it may not work for everyone, it appears to be worth discussing with a physician. Thanks for sharing your experience.
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